William Van Watkins was born on July 31, 1948, to Willie Crim Watkins and Annie Faye Shaw. He passed away peacefully on June 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.
Raised in McKinney, Texas, Van grew up in a close-knit family where love mattered more than material possessions. Some of his fondest childhood memories were Christmases made special by his mother and long, hot summer days spent with cousins swimming in Sloan Creek. He never forgot where he came from or the people who helped shape him.
Van often spoke lovingly of his mother. When asked what he loved most about her, he simply replied, “Everything. My favorite thing was her sweet little smile.” She encouraged him to be the best at whatever he did and taught him lessons that would stay with him throughout his life.
Faith became part of Van’s life at an early age through his great-grandmother Sally, the first person to tell him about God. Her influence remained so significant that he later named his daughter Sally in her honor. The values and faith instilled by his great-grandmother guided him throughout his life and brought him comfort in his final days.
Van attended McKinney High School from 1962 to 1966, where history was his favorite subject and football became one of his lifelong passions. He admired Mickey Mantle, remained a devoted Yankees fan, and often joked that he had “too many friends to list.”
Some of Van’s favorite memories included cheering on his favorite teams, spending time with friends and family, fishing on quiet days by the water, and sharing stories that could make everyone around him laugh. Whether he was reminiscing about childhood adventures or enjoying simple moments with loved ones, he treasured the experiences and relationships that filled his life with joy.
After high school, Van attended Navarro College. In 1973, he began working at Cutters Exchange in Dallas while continuing to live in McKinney.
In 1975, Van married Deby Murphy in Oklahoma. Together they welcomed two children, Sally and Jeremy, who became the pride and joy of his life. Following his time at Cutters Exchange, Van returned to work with his father in construction. He later worked as a farmhand in Celina, Texas, where he enjoyed country life and spent many happy hours fishing.
In 1995, Van met Louise, affectionately known as “Weezy.” Together they shared years of companionship, countless fishing trips, laughter, adventures, and treasured memories.
Van loved fishing, shooting pool, football, baseball, and sharing stories. He once described his greatest strength as “making people laugh and taking the world at what it hands you and making the most of it.” Those who knew him would agree. He had a quick wit, a memorable sense of humor, and a gift for making people smile.
Among the many stories Van enjoyed telling were memories of driving a 1957 automobile for the first time on the way to his grandmother Shaw’s house in Garland and getting his first real kiss from Linda Brown at the Ritz Picture Show in 1963. He always laughed that he remembered the girl and the kiss, but not the movie. One of the most exciting adventures of his life was a trip to Alaska with his friend Mike Shelby. Though he always hoped to one day visit Yankee Stadium and watch the Yankees play in person, that dream remained on his bucket list.
Family was always at the center of Van’s life. He often laughed when remembering the things his children said while growing up, and one of his greatest joys was becoming a grandfather and great-grandfather. He was the proud grandfather of Janell, Fat Daddy, and Lily, and the beloved great-grandfather of Genesis. One of Van’s greatest wishes was to live long enough to see his grandchildren have children of their own.
In his final days, Van found comfort in his faith. He asked for his Bible and spoke of having made peace with the Lord. The seeds of faith planted generations before remained with him throughout his life and provided comfort at its end.
Van will be remembered for his laughter, his stories, his love of family, his loyalty to friends, and his ability to make the most of whatever life handed him. His legacy lives on in the family he loved so deeply and in the countless lives he touched along the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Crim Watkins and Annie Faye Shaw.
He is survived by his children, Sally McCallister and Jeremy Watkins; his grandchildren, Janell, Fat Daddy, and Lily; his great-granddaughter, Genesis; Louise “Weezy”; and many beloved family members and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Friday, June 5, 2026 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. A committal service for Van will be held at Cottage Hill Cemetery in Celina, Texas.
The family will receive friends during a visitation on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.